Reminiscences of a Trip Across the Plains
in '45
by Mrs. Burnett (nee Lucy Jane Hall)

My father, Lawrence Hall, was elected captain
of our train, and we started on our way with
thirty wagons and about fifty men.

A wedding occurred in our company. The bride's
cake was made with turtle eggs found in the
creek. The event was celebrated by a dance
on the grass under the stars.

Near Ft. Boise the Indians made an attempt
to attack our train and stampede the stock,
but failed through the prompt action of my
father, who ordered the teams unhitched and
the wagons formed in a circle with the tongues
of each run under the wagon just forward,
making a strong barricade. The oxen were
put inside, each driver standing by his own
team. The women and children were also inside
by the wagons. All the available men were
outside standing with guns drawn. The captain
walked out alone toward the Indians with
his gun in one hand and a white flag in the
other. He motioned the Indians not to come
any nearer or his men would fire upon them.
The Indians turned and ran away as fast as
their horses could go. They had fine horses.
The men were nude and painted.

Our most serious troubles began when we took
the Stephen Meek cut-off. He represented
that this route was much shorter than the
other, and that there was no danger from
the Indians, as this way did not lead through
the Snake River Indians' territory. By vote
it was decided to follow Mr. Meek. A contract
was signed to pay him for his services, and
he agreed to pilot the company safely through
in thirty days, or, as was written in his
own words, give his head for a football.
All were to take turns hauling his goods.
He and his wife were on horseback.

One day, after three weeks' travel on our
new route, our guide suddenly and excitedly
exclaimed, "My God, we are lost."
Alarmed, but not dismayed, we moved on till
night. There was neither grass nor water
to be found. All night the men sat by the
dim camp fires listening for reports from
those who had gone in search of water. If
any was found a signal of three shots was
to be fired in quick succession; if not three
shots at intervals. At sunrise no sound had
been heard. The train was soon moving on
through sage brush and across dry creek beds
which mocked our thirst. So we journeyed
till noon, when hark! a shot, but not the
three in quick succession, but at intervals;
like a death knell they sounded. The men
stood in groups talking over the situation,
the mothers, pale and haggard, sat in the
wagons with their little ones around them.
With a determination that knows not defeat
the party moved on. About night in quick
succession shots were heard, which proclaimed
that water had been found. All pushed forward
with renewed energy. When in sight of the
water the thirsty oxen broke into a run and
rushed into the water and drank until they
had to be driven out.

"We are saved, we are saved! Thank God!"
cried Stephen Meek, "for now I know
the way." He could locate the trail
to The Dalles from this stream. Men, women
and children were laughing and crying in
turn.

The teams were in such a bad condition that
we had to lay by here three weeks. Many were
sick and some died and were laid to rest
in this camp. Mr. Meek would certainly have
given his head for a football, had not he
and his wife made their timely escape. When
we reached the Deschutes the Indians there
made us understand that a man and woman had
crossed the river a short time before. The
man swam the river, leading his horse, and
an Indian swam over with the woman on his
back. Other Indians tied her clothes on their
heads and swam across. We did not hear of
the Meeks for more than a year after this.

We were lost in the mountains six weeks.
The way was rough beyond description. The
women and children walked most of the way.

On reaching The Dalles Meek told the missionaries
there that a party of emigrants were in the
mountains. A white man and two Indians were
at once sent in search of our company. When
found we people were on the verge of starvation.
But for the provisions brought by the scouts
many, if not all, would have perished, as
it took a week more to reach The Dalles when
guided by these men.